Saturday evenings concert was very well received and around 50 - 70 attended at a guess. Although many students looked a tad terrified before, after a warm up and a few encouraging smiles they were ready to take the stage.

 

I must say, I was so so proud of every one of them, i thought my heart would burst at times, and moments like this remind us of the joys and priviledge of being a teacher.

 

All students performed well, no-one ran off screaming so that must be a good sign! The evening consisted of a variety of repertoire, from Saint Saens to Abba, James rae, and many more.

 

In preparation for the concert I had, the week or so before (when I knew that students could confidently play their chosen piece with ease) been experimenting with some performance preparation methods...Degg style! I told pupils that they were shortly going to play their piece and whatever happened, they were to keep going at all costs! Already, mind boggling, they set off, uninterupted...for half a minute or so! After this 'safe' period they were then bombarded with me fiddling with the music stand, re-arranging their music a little, clapping loudly out of time, putting headphones on their heads, singing opera (badly!) plus many many more. To their credit, they all soldiered on despite embouchures barely clinging on with their fingernails. However, the animated saxman popping up and dancing above the music stand slayed every single one, happy times!!!

 

Perhaps that explains how they kept their cool, if you can play through that, you can play through anything!

 

I have already received emails from members of the audience to say how much they enjoyed the concert and on how well all the students played, so very well done indeed all of you! I am sure that there will be another recital scheduled, hopefully in the winter time. watch this space......

 

I have this morning recorded 2 more short compositions; Jonathan gets his groove on, and Lament. I am particulary pleased with the latter as I really do enjoy writing in this style. It has been promptly added to my reverbnation and myspace pages (see links page).

 

Happy Tootling,

Keri

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